Autumn Hawkbit

Leontodon autumnalis

Small yellow-flowered ‘dandelion’ Be careful not to confuse with rough hawkbit (leontodon hispidus.) The autumn hawkbit has hairs on its leaves that come to a fine point, whilst the rough hawkbit has hairs which split at the ends to resemble the letter “Y” (you either need 20/20 vision or a good eye glass to see that.) Flowers June-Oct.

Soil moisture tolerances:

It is found on sites with more than 20 weeks dry soil per year and 10-20 weeks wet soil per year.

Soil fertility tolerances:

It is typically found on moderately fertile sites (10-25 mg P/kg) or P index 1-2.

Traditional medicinal use:

Leontodon is from Lion’s tooth which describes the shape of the leaves.

Suitability for floodplain living:

The autumn hawkbit is a useful indicator of old meadows, while the rough hawkbit is more of an opportunist, able to colonise areas of bare ground, Flowers June-Oct.